Badge 373 1973
"A gun in his sock, a tire iron in his belt, and no badge. The story of Eddie. The best ex-cop in the business."
Howard W. Koch's gritty 1970s thriller Badge 373 (1973) plunges viewers into the dark underbelly of New York's criminal underworld through the eyes of Eddie Ryan, a relentless Irish detective played with raw intensity by Robert Duvall.
Director: Howard W. Koch
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Badge 373 (1973) about?
Badge 373 follows Eddie Ryan, a hardened detective whose partner's murder sends him on a collision course with the criminal underworld. Stripped of his badge and his principles, Ryan embarks on a one-man war against a powerful gun-runner named Sweet Willie, uncovering a dangerous conspiracy that could spark revolution.
Who directed Badge 373?
Badge 373 was directed by Howard W. Koch, a filmmaker known for his work in crime and thriller genres during the 1970s.
Who stars in Badge 373?
The film stars Robert Duvall as Eddie Ryan, joined by Verna Bloom, Henry Darrow, Eddie Egan, and Felipe Luciano in pivotal roles.
Is Badge 373 (1973) worth watching?
Badge 373 delivers a punchy, morally complex crime drama with Robert Duvall at his best. Its blend of gritty realism, tense action, and a flawed protagonist makes it a standout in the thriller genre, even if it doesn't shy away from its era's rough edges.
How long is Badge 373?
Badge 373 has a runtime of 116 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Badge 373 (1973) — A Gritty Crime Thriller with Robert Duvall
Howard W. Koch's gritty 1970s thriller Badge 373 (1973) plunges viewers into the dark underbelly of New York's criminal underworld through the eyes of Eddie Ryan, a relentless Irish detective played with raw intensity by Robert Duvall. When his partner is brutally murdered, Ryan's search for justice spirals into a personal vendetta that strips him of his badge—and his moral restraint. Fueled by a mix of vengeance and defiance, he uncovers a sinister gun-running operation orchestrated by the ruthless Sweet Willie, a plot that threatens to ignite revolutionary chaos in the streets. With its hard-boiled atmosphere and morally ambiguous hero, Badge 373 blends crime drama with the harsh realities of urban corruption, all wrapped in a tense narrative that keeps you guessing until the final shot.
The film's lean runtime of 116 minutes crackles with kinetic energy, thanks in part to Duvall's explosive performance and a supporting cast that includes Verna Bloom and Henry Darrow. Koch crafts a world where loyalty is fragile, justice is a myth, and the line between cop and criminal blurs into oblivion. The result is a raw, unflinching dive into the consequences of obsession and the cost of seeking retribution outside the law.
Expect a cinematic experience that balances brutal realism with the unmistakable grit of 1970s crime cinema, where every character carries a hidden agenda and the city itself feels like a powder keg waiting to explode.